Robbed of Everything: Help Brian Get Home and Rebuild

My dear friend Brian was violently robbed in Colombia after 22 months of solo backpacking through 29 countries. While he's physically safe, he lost everything—all identification, mementos, electronics, and was only left with the clothes on his back.

He needs our help to get home, replace essentials, and thank the incredible strangers who rescued him in his darkest hour.

Brian's Story:



After stepping off a delayed bus just past midnight in Armenia, Colombia, I was ambushed while walking to my hotel. Five men surrounded me. They punched me, threw me to the ground, and robbed me of everything except the clothes on my back.

Gone are both my backpacks, passport, all my cards, MacBook Pro, two iPhones, tablet, AirPods, clothes, toiletries—and most devastatingly, 22 months of irreplaceable memories: my journal, ticket stubs, and treasures collected across 29 countries.

The trauma of losing these memories in an instant is overwhelming, but I'm grateful to be alive.

Finding Angels in the Darkness

While the local police offered little help, fate intervened minutes later. A couple named Kleyderman and Johana found me, redirected me to a friend's hotel, paid for my stay, and promised to return in the morning. True to their word, they arrived with breakfast, coffee, and a warmth that defies description. They even bought me sunglasses to hide the bruising on my nose.

Together, we shared a traditional lunch, explored the city, and filled the car with salsa music. Even in the darkest moments, light finds a way through.

Meanwhile, my sister in Chicago connected me with her friend, a hotel owner in Bogotá, who sent a private car for the seven-hour journey. Still shaken, I arrived at his hotel and began the slow process of rebuilding.

Without hesitation, he provided a room, a phone, and computer access. His incredible staff surprised me with new clothes, treats, and arranged medical care. (My nose appears to have damaged cartilage rather than a break, pending confirmation.) Their collective kindness has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Current Situation

I have an embassy appointment this Tuesday for an emergency passport. My replacement debit card is en route. Once I have both, I'll fly to Denver to recover with my parents in Colorado Springs. I'm postponing my planned Guatemala trip—I simply need time to heal.

I still intend to return to Chicago by August 13th to resume tutoring and public speaking, and prepare for a planned move in 2026.

How Your Support Makes a Difference

Honoring My Rescuers: Meaningful tips for the dozen hotel staff members who went above and beyond, a thank-you gift for Kleyderman and Johana

Getting Home Safely:Last-minute flight from Bogotá to Denver (targeting July 7th)

Rebuilding Essentials Work laptop and phone (crucial for communication and earning a living), basic necessities to start over

What Can Never Be Replaced

My journal. The keepsakes. The passport stamps. Two years of tangible memories—all gone forever. But as Kleyderman reminded me, I'm alive, which makes me luckier than many who face similar violence in his town.

That perspective will stay with me always.

A Final Thought

If you're unable to contribute financially, sharing my story helps tremendously. I began this journey to showcase the world's beauty—not just its landscapes and cuisine, but the extraordinary people who prove humanity's goodness. Kleyderman, Johana, and the warm hotel owners are now forever woven into my story.

Though I've lost my possessions, I remain grounded and somehow fuller than before.

With deepest gratitude,

Brian Michalski